formality

American  

[fawr-mal-i-tee] / fɔrˈmæl ɪ ti /

noun

formalities plural

1. condition or quality of being formal; accordance with required or traditional rules, procedures, etc.; conventionality.

2. rigorously methodical character.

3. strict adherence to established rules and procedures; rigidity.

4. observance of form or ceremony.

5. marked or excessive ceremoniousness.

6. an established order or method of proceeding.

   the formalities of judicial process.

7. a formal act or observance.

   Synonyms:

   ceremony, ritual, rite

8. something done merely or mainly for form's sake; a requirement of custom or etiquette.

   the formality of a thank-you note.

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formality British  

/ fɔːˈmælɪtɪ /

noun

1. a requirement of rule, custom, etiquette, etc

2. the condition or quality of being formal or conventional

3. strict or excessive observance of form, ceremony, etc

4. an established, proper, or conventional method, act, or procedure

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• formalities
  plural

Etymology

Origin of formality

From the Latin word fōrmālitās, dating back to 1525–35. See formal ¹, -ity

Explanation

A formality is something that follows traditional rules. Even though you knew your request for time off at work would be approved, you still went through the formality of filling out all the required paperwork. Formality also means to align with customs or etiquette. In this way, a formality is often something that's more symbolic than necessary. For example, when a big group sits down to eat dinner together, no one starts eating until everyone is served. That formality of dining etiquette is a sign of good manners and consideration for others. If you're British, a formality of your culture is to curtsy or bow when you meet the Queen.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

formality formalities

This could have played out differently had Team Jackson not cleared the field ahead of what is now a formality.

From Slate ● Jul. 24, 2026

“There is now an effective consensus … that there is a discernible human influence on the climate,” Browne, a small, professorly man with an air of British formality, told the audience.

From Salon ● Jun. 26, 2026

"I care more about physical health; the test is just a formality."

From Barron's ● Jun. 7, 2026

Such missives resembled the way royal press officers would round up a day of engagements on a royal tour, except these were with language free of convention and formality.

From BBC ● Apr. 18, 2026

The courtly bow he attempted at his employer only made him seem more the baboon, but this formality gave Johnny one split second.

From "Johnny Tremain" by Esther Hoskins Forbes

BBC Sport understands a deal to appoint the Austrian is virtually done with just the formalities left to complete.

From BBC ● Jul. 1, 2026

Japan's formalities -- from the complexity of polite language to extreme attention to detail in packaging or wrapping -- may surprise visitors, he said.

From Barron's ● Mar. 24, 2026

"This situation naturally raises the question: what kind of peace and what kind of consistency can we be talking about if even the basic formalities for our participation were not fulfilled by the organisers?"

From Barron's ● Feb. 19, 2026

Once the necessary paperwork is signed off, Guehi is expected to travel north in the next 72 hours to complete the formalities.

From BBC ● Jan. 16, 2026

"Let's not waste time on formalities," he said and prepared to sign the papers without reading them.

From "One Hundred Years of Solitude" by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

Related Words

• procedure
• red tape
• rite
• ritual